Joining Hands Around the World

As most of the world knows the state of Colorado, and particularly Colorado Springs, is experiencing an onslaught of devastating wildfires.   The damages are catastrophic and it is not even close to over.

There are also fires in California, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Idaho, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania {there may be others}.   Here is a map that is absolutely crazy to look at:  Fires in the United States right now.

The loss has been overwhelming and there appears to be no end in sight to many of the fires.

The exhaustion of those fighting the fires, the grieving of those so affected by all the tremendous loss, those manning and/or living in evacuation shelters, those with breathing difficulties {on a good day!},  and just imagine the pressure on those making the decisions in it all  – they are all in such desperate need of prayer!

Who better to pray for all the needs but those watching from the sidelines?

And that would be you and me, sweet friends.

I feel like the Lord has urged me to call for a three day prayer and fasting vigil.

Friday, June 29
Saturday, June 30th
Sunday, July 1st

Bloggy friends, you have joined arms with myself and others around the world on various occasions before.  You have faithfully prayed.  Many of you have fasted.  And God has moved.  He has moved in mighty ways.

In fact scripture says that some things don’t even happen without prayer and fasting.

I am also reminded that God’s word tells us that we are to “Do to others as we would want them to do for us.”

Dw, the kids and I know the devastation of losing our home to a tragic fire.  We are feeling the heartache and loss with those experiencing it all right now.   I keep crying thinking about it all.

And we also know, that if we were in the shoes of those so effected by all the fires we would be humbled, broken and ever grateful to know that people around the world were joining together to pray and fast for an end to the fires.

If you have never fasted before, I would encourage you to even fast just one meal.  There is an excellent article about fasting here.

Fasting is not demanding anything.   God is the final authority.  But it is coming to Almighty God with utmost reverence and humbly repenting of any sin in our lives then asking for His hand of mercy to move on a situation while denying ourselves food at the same time.

Fasting is always acknowledging that He is the final decision maker to anything we would be asking Him for.

Truthfully, it is the most powerful way that I, personally, am able to draw close to the Lord.  I hear Him speak to me most frequently when I am in the midst of a fast.

It is a spiritual discipline that is not optional.  There are mandates throughout scripture to fast.  And there are specific instances in scriptures where groups of people fasted to see a mighty move of God.

If you have never fasted before, please consider joining in by even fasting one meal.

Please also consider asking your friends, family, Bible studies, prayer groups and churches to join in this prayer and fasting vigil.  

There are other needs around the country.  Please feel free to list them in the comments below.  We will be covering them in prayer over the next three days as we join together for those whose arms are weak and whose hearts are growing faint.

Will you please consider joining hands with us by committing to pray specifically and/or fast for at least part of this three day event?    

On behalf of those affected by it all, thank you.    

48 thoughts on “Joining Hands Around the World

  1. Please if you think of it – please pray for the families around us who will find out TONIGHT at 8 pm MST whether they are one of the 346 people who have lost their home. Our heart breaks for these families, and the 32000 still evacuated

    1. ABout 1/2 an hour after this post they announced they are allowing 1/3 to 1/2 of the people to go home. Eventhough the fast hasn't started yet, I truly believe prayer created this totally unexpected turn of events since the 4pm briefing.

      I have to say though that God has been very much present during this time, from the Mayor asking for prayers to the newscasters. So many people have mentioned God and prayer in their interviews. 500,000 lbs of food was collected for evacuees and firefighters within the first day, $600,000 for the displaced already collected, and volunteer positions fill within 5 minutes. And most importantly of 32,000 evacuees less than 500 went to shelters. People have opened up their homes, and their hearts.

      THere will be a lot of families hurting and we are no where near being out of danger. Our bags still sit packed by the front door, our windows closed to the smoke, and our cupboards will remain barren (as we donated everything possible instead of letting it burn.) Truly the comfort of knowing a world is praying is the ultimate comfort.

    2. I definitely think Yvette that the power of prayer is immeasurable. I didn't understand that you are in the fire area. I am so sorry Yvette. Your tender heart is such a blessing to all around you and I pray that God will move and the fires will end. Praying for your family specifically now too. Please keep us posted, will you? xo

  2. Thank you for posting about this. My folks are evacuated because of this fire. I think their house is okay for now, but as we saw the firestorm hit Colorado Springs – you never know. It is so sad and while it is "just a house" and "stuff" – it's also peoples' lives and memories. Tonight is the night when the people who have been so badly affected learn whether they still have a home or not. I'm sure they would appreciate prayers. Thanks for encouraging people to pray for this situation.

    1. I am sorry your folks have had to be evacuated. Listen, sweet friend, I KNOW what it's like to lose our home and memories. It was my favorite house that we lost in our fire. Although it is labeled as "stuff" it is what is familiar. I think of things that the kids made, or the old, old home made cedar chest Dw's grand father made for his grandma Emma for their engagement that we lost….it cannot ever be replaced and our hearts grieve with all.

    2. I am thankful that my folks had a great place to go (lodging up and down I25 is full) and they were welcomed. My mother, bless her heart, would probably feel sad about losing the non replaceable "stuff" so she asked for pray for peace IF something should happen to their home. Right now, it's ok but that would change with a wind shift change. And they would have the resources to rebuild, etc. unlike some of the people affected. It makes you really think what is important. Thank you again for posting this – these fires in Colorado are horrible! I also want to say THANK YOU to the firefighters and to their families for their sacrifices as they come and fight these fires. Firemen in the High Park Fire were fighting the fire while their own homes burnt down. The firemen are God's hands at helping to contain this fire. Pray for their endurance!

    3. I cannot imagine being a firefighter working on the fire, knowing that my home was burning. Public servants like firefighters are amazing heroes! Please keep us updated!

  3. hi linny! i will join in; i was just talking to my sister-in-law tonight about how she lost her two babies (ages 1 and 4) to a house fire in 1988. i know how awful fires can be. i will pray and fast!

    tara

  4. I will take time to pray for this dreadful situation.
    I would also ask for prayer for the many in England who are suffering the opposite weather conditions with terrific flooding. Streets and houses are being swept with water. A man lost his life as he fell into a swirling river. Even the emergency vehicles are finding it impossible to get through the devastation.

    1. I am so glad you mentioned the flooding in England. Absolutely we will include that. Here in the western part of the United States the only thing being covered is the fires and so little is mentioned anywhere else. Thank you for alerting us!

  5. Joining in prayer and fasting. I would love to ask for our home to sale. For God to open the doors for more children in our home and for me to find a way to start an adoption ministry in our new church that we have helped launch.

  6. Linny, do you have suggestions for how we can join you in fasting if we cannot fast for medical reasons? Maybe fast from dessert or Internet?

    1. I know people with medical conditions who choose to fast from things like candy, chocolate, dessert, junk food all day long. Internet is another thing, but probably both together {junk food and internet} would be more sacrificial. Best thing would be to pray and ask the Lord what He would want you to fast from. He will give you the idea that's right for you!

  7. Praying and fasting with everyone. It was nice to hear that CO had gotten a little rain over night. God is so good!

    I have a couple requests…although Indiana isn't experiencing any wild fires we are in extreme drought conditions. We are farmers and if we don't get rain VERY soon and a good amount then our crops will be worth nothing. This doesn't compare to losing your home but still a serious issue for people who rely on their crops for income.

    Second…I know God has spoken to me specifically about adopting a specific child. If I could type the whole story out here, you would be blown away by God's amazing orchestration! To me…it is VERY clear. To my husband however…he agrees God has laid this on my heart. He just doesn't think adoption is for us necessarily. I am heart broken. I feel like my son is half way across the world and he needs his momma! Please pray that God will move on his heart. Please pray God will nudge him toward adopting this boy. Make it clear to him, Lord. If his no was a no after he read his bible, prayed, fully surrendered to God's will and it was a no…I think I would be at peace. But…that isn't the case, so the only peace I have is knowing God loves us and He loves our boy and He can make this happen should it be His will. It's just really hard waiting! I have been praying, seeking, asking, for direction and clarity. So far, it is still the same answer!

  8. Joining you in prayer – and fasting a meal (we are on vacation 🙂

    A few years ago when we lived in Australia, Hillsong rallied Christians to pray for the horrible drought – and it broke shortly after- and it had been going on for years!!

    Thanks for The encouragement to beseech our Mighty God!

    xo ellie

    1. Thank you Ellie for joining in- even on your vacation. What a treasure you are!

      There is no doubt, that God moves when people rally and pray {and fast!}. Thank you for encouraging us with the story of the drought in Australia…

  9. I will definitely pray for all of you! I'd love some prayers for His guidance on whether to have a specific surgery. 🙂

  10. Hi Linn, I just saw this post now (Friday evening). So I will be fasting & praying Sat, Sun & Mon. The stateline fire in CO was only 8 miles from our home. We could see the flames from our subdivision…..it was quite unnerving, to say the least.

    My prayer request would be for Christ to reign supreme in the lives/marriages of the six adults in our family. Sadly,there is much ungodliness in our family, many demonic strongholds/bondages, unwilling & hard hearts, poor choices being made. Only God can change hearts!! I'm waiting on His miracles!!

    Thank you for this opportunity! I love & miss you, chica!!

    1. Flames from your home? Wow. Joanne. I can picture it. When we heard the fire was in Bondad, we were like, Whooooa. That's right "around the corner" from our house. And yes, we will certainly pray for your family. Love you and miss you! xo

  11. I am praying!As my daughter and I were driving me back home from Olathe to Montrose Colorado we talked about the fires. 25yrs.ago the apartment building I lived in burned due to arson fire. Janet

  12. I was talking with my sister last week, and she has a lot of questions about fasting. When I heard mention of an article or blog post about it, I wanted to send her the link. However, I can't seem to find the link myself, and I'm pretty sure I scrolled through all your blog posts about fasting. Could you link me up? (And link me to any other good articles you know of on the topic?)

  13. Linny…thank you for praying and fasting for our friends in Colorado. We had evacuees staying in our home. Thankfully, their home is safe. We do have 2 families we know from church and from my husband's job who lost homes. I was blessed to see one of the families worshipping God just a couple rows in front of us at church on Sunday. What a testimony to so many…they are choosing joy in the midst of great sorrow. I would love to know some very practical ways to help them over the course of the coming days and weeks. If you can think of some things, would you please pass them along? They have 3 elementary aged children. Obviously, prayer is the most powerful and effective thing to do. We'd just love to come alongside them and meet some physical needs as well. Thank you!

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